Isla Fairfield
Former Fife College theatre student Isla Fairfield (20) has described how an Adam Smith Foundation scholarship award has played a big supporting role as she looks to take the next step towards a successful acting career.
Isla, from Dunfermline, believes being awarded Ian Rankin’s Writing Scholarship in 2017 was a real boost as she began her journey towards a professional acting career.
After winning the Scholarship Isla went on to be selected for the Scottish Drama Training Network’s Fringe Show, Isla was delighted to be chosen from hundreds of actors from across Scotland to take part in the prestigious Edinburgh Festival event.
Since completing her Acting and Performance course at Fife College Isla has been busy studying BA Honours Acting for Stage and Screen Degree at Queen Margaret University.
Thanks to Fife College’s great university links, Isla was able to join the third year of her university course.
She is now in her final year and preparing for a showcase performance of ‘Road’ by Jim Cartwright next month.
Isla said: “I was absolutely over the moon to be awarded the scholarship by Ian himself when I was at College.
“During the two months of rehearsals for the Scottish Drama Training Network show I lived in Edinburgh and I was able to use the scholarship to see loads of different fringe pieces I would not have been able to see without it. I have also been able to use the scholarship to help fund me through my degree.
“I’m really looking forward to our show next month. During the show I hope to make industry connections that will help me make the next steps into a professional acting career when I graduate.”
Ian Rankin, one of the world’s leading crime writers, has offered scholarships to creative students at Fife College for the past 16 years through the Adam Smith Foundation which looks after the scholarship programme.
Lyn Gold, Adam Smith Foundation Co-ordinator, said: “It was great to hear how the Ian Rankin Writing Scholarship Isla received three years ago is still helping her to progress her studies and secure her future acting career. This is just what Ian created the scholarship for – to give students that much needed lift and recognition and help them achieve their career goals.
“We are very fortunate at Fife College to have this ongoing support from Ian Rankin who, not only supports the scholarship financially, but also gives up his time every year to read and critique the students’ creative writing applications. Ian also gives up his valuable time to come in to College to meet the winning students and present them with their scholarships.”
“We wish Isla every success with her final year showcase and will pass on the news of her ongoing success to Ian.”
Applications for this year’s Ian Rankin Scholarship will be open from Monday 17 February. For more information visit the Adam Smith Foundation page on the Fife College website.
Students at Fife College benefit from a wide range of scholarships which are available for application throughout the year. For further details about the Adam Smith Foundation visit our page or email scholarships@fife.ac.uk.
Applications for courses at Fife College are open now. To find out more about creative courses on offer at Fife College call 03442480115 or visit our course pages.
Tickets to see Isla in ‘Road’ can be booked here.
